HCS Coote (1827)

HCS Coote was a sloop-of-war that served the British East India Company (EIC) during the 19th century.[3] The Bombay Dockyard launched Coote in 1827.[4] Though the EIC built Coote, her size and armament were equivalent to the retired Cruizer-class brig-sloops.

Capture of Aden on a 1939 stamp marking the centenary
History
East India Company
OperatorEast India Company
Launched1827[1]
FateWrecked in 1845, later sank during attempted salvage
General characteristics
TypeSloop of war
Tons burthen420[2][1] (bm)
DecksOne
Armament18 cannon[2][1]

Coote participated in the 1839 Aden Expedition along with HCS Mahi and the frigate HMS Volage and the brig HMS Cruizer of the British Royal Navy.[5]

Fate

Coote was lost on 1 December 1845. She had left Bombay on 22 November, and wrecked at Calicut, on the Malabar Coast, on what became known as Coote Reef (11.23333°N 75.76667°E / 11.23333; 75.76667).[Note 1] Her officers and crew abandoned her as unsalvageable on 3 December. Her captain, Lieutenant J.S. Grieve, his officers, and crew all survived. All her guns, and a great deal of her stores and ammunition were saved.[7][8] The EIC was able, eventually, to get her off the rocks. The company decided to sell the hull at Calicut rather than attempt to tow it to Bombay. A Calicut resident bought the hull for 10,000 rupees, but as she was being towed on shore where her leaks might be repaired, she sank into mud and appeared a total loss.[9]

Notes
  1. One source gives the year of loss as 1846.[6] Two sources give the date of loss as 1 December 1855,[1] or simply as 1855.[4]

Citations
  1. Wadia (1986), p. 342.
  2. Phipps (1840), pp. 165 & 169.
  3. Low (1877), p. 18.
  4. Hackman (2001), p. 328.
  5. Clowes, pg. 277-279
  6. Colledge & Warlow (2006), p.89.
  7. Allen's Indian mail and register of intelligence for British and foreign India: 1846, pp.48 & 75.
  8. Bengal Catholic Herald (3 January 1846), Vol. 10, Issue 1, p.1.
  9. Allen's Indian mail and register of intelligence for British and foreign India: 1846, p.341.

References
  • Clowes, W. Laird; et al. (1897–1903). The Royal Navy: A history from the earliest times to the present. Vol. 4. Boston / London: Little, Brown and Co. / S. Low, Marston and Co.
  • Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy (Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8.
  • Hackman, Rowan (2001). Ships of the East India Company. Gravesend, Kent: World Ship Society. ISBN 0-905617-96-7.
  • Low, Charles Rathbone (1877). History of the Indian Navy: (1613-1863). R. Bentley and son.
  • Phipps, John (1840). A Collection of Papers Relative to Ship Building in India ...: Also a Register Comprehending All the Ships ... Built in India to the Present Time ... Scott.
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